My family and I were invited to attend the Inland Pacific Ballet's performance of the Little Mermaid recently and I decided to go with my sons for a mommy son date day. It was all our first time watching the ballet and it was a great experience. I appreciated how they gave us an introduction before the performance as there’s no words or singing, but gave an example of Ariel’s sisters’ performance and what to look for to help us better understand the background of the story.
There were amazing costumes and performances by the dancers and I loved the squid and various fish. Although I've never seen ballet before, I appreciated the difficulty and technique of the dancing and the beauty of their movement told the story. My boys' favorite part was the scene with Ursula and especially the angler fish and eels. The fantastic sets, colorful costumes, and hearing the beautiful music transported us to underneath the sea and then above ground to the pirate ship and the castle. There's a surprise ending which you don't want to miss!
I appreciated how open the production was in providing a 2nd encore where they allowed the audience to take pictures of the dancers. They even came out at the end to the lobby and took pictures and signed autographs with everyone who attended. Little Mermaid is playing until the end of April. It’s the perfect show for the 1st timer as well as seasoned ballet lovers!
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Inland Pacific Ballet’s spectacular landmark production boasts magnificent sets (even a live shipwreck!), a cast of delightful sea creatures, ornate costumes, puppetry, and beautiful dance to create a magical ocean world with a cast of delightful undersea creatures which are a feast for the eyes. A sweeping sound collage of music from great composers such as Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, Benjamin Britten and Ralph Vaughan Williams bring the story of the Little Mermaid to life in this enchanting undersea adventure. Innovative aerial technology and a surprise ending awaits as the Little Mermaid’s adventures come to life. Based on the original fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen about a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea and her identity as a mermaid to gain a human soul.
Who:
• Choreography by Eric Skinner and Daniel Kirk
• Music by Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, Benjamin Britten, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Anton Dvorak, Leos Janacek
• Sound Design by Scott Frasier
• Libretto by Daniel Kirk
• Scenic Design by Nancy Seruto
• Costume Design by Craig Shepard and Jeanne Nolden
When/Where:
Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501
Saturday, April 6, 2019 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 7, 2019 2:00 p.m.
Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Saturday, April 13, 2019 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 14, 2019 2:00 pm
Bridges Auditorium, Pomona College, 450 North College Way, Claremont, CA 91711
Saturday, April 27, 2019 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 28, 2019 2:00 pm
Information & Tickets: IPBALLET.org; tickets from $24 and senior/child/group discounts are available
